Intelligent NBA commentary from the two biggest basketball fans on the planet.

March 05, 2006

Just to get rid of the obnoxious post we had most recently, I thought I would give my takes on the two nationally televised ABC games we had on Sunday. In case your local affiliate screwed you, here's what went on:

- Pacers at Sixers: This was the third time this week the Sixers were featured on national television. The first time was against the Rockets, where they came back to get a 5 point win on the road. The second time was against the Wizards, where they managed to hold off Washington in a high scoring affair. In Sunday's game against the Pacers, they couldn't get their third straight. C-Webb had a bad game, shooting only 7-22 from the field, including letting the shot clock expire with the ball in his hands down the stretch, and missing a 3-pointer at the buzzer. The Sixers really should have won this game, but allowed Steven Jackson to get an uncontested layup with 2 seconds left. Once again, let me remind you that the Pacers are winning without Jermaine O'Neal, and with both Jeff Foster and Scot Pollard in their starting lineup.

- Suns at Mavericks: The Mavs lead for most of this game, but much like the game against the Spurs earlier this week, Dallas' second half defense left something to be desired. The Mavs allowed 64 second half points at home to let the Suns snap their 16-game home winning streak. Somewhat disgustingly, the Mavs gave up 34 points in the 4th to the Suns, en route to getting outscored by 16 in the quarter to blow the game. The highlight was when Nash took best buddy Dirk to the rack and made a circus shot over his head and over Dirk for a key bucket with 43 seconds left to put the Suns up 4 and effectually seal the game. It should be noted that the Mavs were without Josh Howard and Keith Van Horn, but they had the 8-point lead to start the 4th at home and should have sealed the deal.

January 06, 2006

After sitting out two consecutive losses to Utah, Kobe returned with a very efficient 48 points in a 119-93 victory over Philadelphia at Staples Center. Here are a few observations from my view high up in the rafters:

-Brett, you called it right with Kobe dropping 40 and the Lakers winning. Heath Ledger is dropping by for a courtesy reach-around.

-Kobe had a very effective shooting night. All of his points came within the flow of the game. Plus it didn't hurt that he got scorching hot from downtown in the second half (7-7 for the game). Easily, Kobe could have had 50 plus, but he sat for much of the 4th. No surprise that one year after running Rudy Tomjanovich's chuck-and-duck offense, Kobe isn't complaining that the Triangle Offense is boring.

-It's really tough to see C-Webb struggle under the boards. The guy just can't jump anymore. Hard to see the likes of Brian Cook and Devean George (???) lock him up down low. Four years ago this guy had one of the quickest hops in the game. He used to run roughshod in the paint, dunking put backs left and right. He's still a good player, just not the man-child of the Fab Five days. (Another Fab Five Pic)

-I forgot the added bonus of Philly fan when the Sixers come to town. Like A.I., they always bring their A game to the arena; loud, sporting colors and popping off. Their noise died down as Kobe was banging threes in the 3rd quarter.

-The Kobe-A.I. feud didn't materialize. A.I. had a good game (31 points off 11-22 from the field), but the game wasn't close enough to get their blood boiling. Smush Parker matched up on A.I. for most of the game.

-I actually like the mix of talent that Philly has. Staring with the veteran scoring and leadership from A.I. and Webber, they mix in young athletic talent in Iguodala, Dalembert and Salmons plus Korver's shooting. I hope GM Billy King adds some depth to the bench and gives this team some time to gel. They could be very good next year.

-Finally, the previous post was our 100th so far. Thanks to everyone that has stopped by to take a look at the infant stages of this thing and thanks to all for the links and participation. Congratulations Brett!

Quick take on tonight's Kobe vs. AI matchup. Kobe is not happy that he was suspended for two games, even though his retaliation to Mike Miller was indeed a cheap shot. He should have waited until he was actually shooting the ball or driving to the basket, then he could have gotten away with it. Kobe will look to get L.A. back on track, and I believe he will drop at least 40 on the Sixers.

Kobe also wants the scoring title, and will not hesitate to try to show AI that he's the better scorer. Normally this would not work in the Lakers' favor, but tonight I think it will. It looks like Webber will be sitting this one out for Philly, and even the oddsmakers have the Lakers a 5-point favorite. Mamba will strike in his return, Lakers 98, Sixers 92.

January 05, 2006

Not to be a basketball snob, but having Laker season tickets this year means a lot of unwatchable games on the schedule. However, Friday's game against Philadelphia is a "circle the calendar" one. In comes A.I., easily one of the top 5 individual talents to watch in the game today (T-Mac, LeBron, D-Wade, Pavel Podkolzin are the others). With the Sixers come several sub-plots to the game:

The Kobe v. Iverson Feud: There something to this. I don't think A.I. likes Kobe at all. This may have started back in the 2001 Finals or the following All-Star game in Phila. (Where Kobe shot everything on his way to an MVP, a shower of boos from his home town and one of the most awkward award ceremonies) Based on interviews, A.I. comes off as a Shaq guy. One of the highlights in a previous match-up was A.I. slamming the ball down (T.O. style) on center court with 5 seconds to play in a Phila. win over the Lakers. There was a message of disrespect there. So pay attention to the body language and action between them.

A.I.'s Conversion to Veteran Leader: Somewhere before last season, Iverson became the crafty veteran leader on the Sixers. He's playing great team oriented basketball, showing confidence in the younger teammates and saying the right things. Maybe it's Webber taking some of the physical and emotional load off of A.I.'s back, who knows. All I know is that Iverson is averaging a career high 33.2 points and a strong 7.3 assists a game. He's secretly playing the best basketball in his career.

Webber's Resurgence: Last season, he looked lost on the Sixers. He was playing his Sacramento style of game with A.I. and it looked like the Sixers got screwed in the trade. This season, Webber is averaging a healthy 19.6 points and 10.4 rebounds a game. As mentioned, he's taking some of the load off A.I. Plus, he's making me look like a genius for drafting him late in my fantasy league. My worry is the "DND - Lower back strain" he had against Phoenix a few days ago. We don't need any more of those, Chris.

The Other A.I.: Andre Iguodala impressed me last year against the Lakers with his quickness and athleticism. This season, he's improving and is putting up decent numbers: 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, shooting 52.7% from the field.

Mamba's Revenge: Kobe was suspended for two games for a retaliatory elbow to Memphis forward Mike Miller. The Lakers lost both of those games to Utah. Mamba had thrown elbows at Nowitzki, Wade and Miller in three of the last five games he has played. What will he do against A.I.?

Stanislav Medvedenko: This waste of space is having season ending back surgery which begs the question: If a tree falls in a forest on a Euro, does anyone hear him choke on his cigarette?

December 16, 2005

In what is becoming our weekly NBA athletes in Vegas story, we have this report from the Philadelphia Inquirer about Allen Iverson arguing with casino management in Atlantic City. Apparently he was overpaid approximately $10,000 in winnings, and when management noticed the overpayment and asked for the money back, A. I. refused and an argument ensued.

Let's say that A.I. is currently worth about $10M, which is most likely an undervaluation. The $10K he was arguing about would be the equivalent of only $100 to a typical middle class person worth $100K. Hey gangsta: I know it's cool to tell your boys you got into it with a pit boss (I've done it myself in Vegas), but if you're a high profile athlete, how about dialing it down a notch? You certainly don't need any more bad publicity, and over what amounts to $100 in your world, it hardly seems worth it.